"29 in 99": Bob and Mickey Licker have been so kind to send me 2 1/2 sheets of Email concerning the 1/7 reunion at 29 Palms in May. Words were difficult for them to express their feelings. Bob says it was the most memorial and satisfying experience he has ever had, the best of reunions. Pleased about that Bobby and tho I wasn't there I feel great pleasure and pride that it came about. Also proud that we have such as you and Mickey to make it happen.

There was a Korean Night, The Follies, MCAGCC, and Mini-reunions and the Mayor proclaimed '1/7 Korea Week' in Palm Springs.

Sunday's Memorial service was without precedent. 1/7 Korea 1950-1953 now has a monument, "only one of it's kind to single out a Battalion and time period of conflict," per General Davis

You would have cried when the 21 doves flew out as the names of those who did not return were called out and the men saluted the sky. General Davis called out Major Sawyer's name. The firing squad, Bag Piper, Taps echo and Silent Drill Team for our fallen comrades brought tears to all eyes, including the Mayor and MCAGCC CG.

Bobby sent a photo of the 1/7 monument electronically and it has been put on my website at:

Had a great telcon with Larry Pawelka. He was doing OK and made a trip to Czechoslovakia and other points of interest in Jun99. Went with his son, nephew and a couple of other lads. He's visited sites that his family originated from and includes Vienna. Sounds great! He infoed me of the differences in the beginnings of a fairy tale and a sea-story. A fairy tale always starts with "Once upon a time---". The sea-story starts with "Now this ain't no s__t!!". Joe Vitak, that'll be on the next promotion test listed under General Knowledge, so study! Larry did not attend Rhode Island.and I am sure he was missed. Sure hope you see fit to make it to Las Vegas Larry. John Ontiverous and his beautiful lady celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary on 5Jun99. Best wishes to both. Hey, you people are boots! They held it in San Antonio to be with Mary Jane's mother. Onti and Mary Jane visited their daughter in Elizabethtown, NC while enroute to the reunion.

Made contact with Colonel Nate Smith. Learned he has been suffering with the knees again. Left knee was operated on and Janet's message was that after she had a long 6 hour wait outside the operating/recovery room, Able Six sang the "Marine Hymn" and advised all that the "Marines have landed!" as he was being rolled to his room. The doctor told Janet that he was the toughest "80" year old he had seen. Latest report is that he expects to be back with the "Point" in 3 weeks. Colonel has had a total recovery and walked proudly with the men of A-1-7 in Rhode Island.

I attended Gunnery Sergeant George Fey's military funeral in Morehead City, NC on 11Jun99. Surviving him is one son, two daughters, eleven grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren. I thought the Marines did a fine job. They were all very sharp young Marines in dress blues. (Any Marine under 73 is a "Young" Marine to me now.) A Gunnery Sergeant was NCOIC. He had a seven Marine firing squad, plus six Marines as pallbearers/flag folders and one Marine bugler. I was very proud of them.

Pleased to receive a letter from SgtMaj E. Wehinger, USMC (Ret). Sad to learn that his wife had passed away on 13May99. Sure I speak for Able company when I offer our deepest sympathy SgtMaj.He sent me his dues for the A/1/7 Assn which I sent on to Herb so he is now on the rolls.Recall he joined us just after we came off the hill to the reserve camp at Inje in Dec51. A very squared away "Spit-shined" Marine Master Sergeant. He relieved me as Company Gunny. I have ran across him several times since Korea. The last time was several years ago and he looked great. Sure pleased to have you aboard SgtMaj!

Sad to learn from Gene "Lummie" James, Arty FO, that his much loved "Billie" passed away on 14May99. Our deepest sympathy Gene. She is interred in the National Cemetery, Beaufort, SC. She put up a gallant fight against cancer. Gene was Arty FO with companies of the 1st Bn, 7th Marines from Apr51 thru Sep51. He was with us during battle for 673. When we went back to the rear after the battle he was WIA by a "Bouncing Betty" while on a sniper patrol from I/3/11. The wound took him out of the war. After talking to Gene on the land-land on 22Jun99, I did visit with him for a few minutes the next day when I passed thru Myrtle Beach, SC as I was enroute to Georgia. The young fellow looks great.

Shifty visited on 22Jun99 and we had a great visit. He set me up to another filet mignon. Now I've got to see if he'll do it again at Rhode Island. (I was told that he fully intended to treat you to another felet mignon if the hurricane had not prevented you and Frank from attending the reunion Jim...)

While he was here I called Joe Vitak on the LL for some info. Joe sounded great and says Marieanne is also. He was able to help us with the info we wanted. Thank you Joseph.

My Marie has occassional episodes with painful legs. She "Guts" it out and continues to try to keep me squared away. She's doing a fine job at it or maybe I'm getting to old to mess up, as much. With her permission and my daughter, Sharon, looking in on her, I traveled to Cartersville, Georgia, my oldest son, Jim,Jr, was my "Sitter", to attend the Confederate funeral service at the unveiling of a Confederate headstone on my great grand father 's grave 118 years after his burial. That was made possible by the wonderful folks who now own the "Skinner Home", circa 1860, in Cartersville. Still a lot of wonderful folks in this old world. The re-enactors did a fine job and hope springs anew that the South will win that war yet! The three volley's were fired using muzzle-loaders and those lad's had the reloading down to a gnat's eye.

THE REUNION IN RHODE ISLAND IS NOW HISTORY. REPORTS I'VE RECEIVED ARE THAT IT WAS ANOTHER GRAND ONE. REGRET THAT I MISSED IT

HURRICANE "FLOYD" KINDA DORKED THINGS UP FOR ME. "FLOYD" ONLY TORE SEVERAL LIMBS FROM MY TREES SO WE WERE NOT DAMAGED. THE DAMAGE CAME AFTER THE STORM.

I WAS DRAGGING ONE OF THE DOWNED LIMBS TO THE CURB, LOST MY BALANCE AT THE CURB AND FELL BREAKING MY LEFT ARM. FINALLY GOT THE "BREAK" I WANTED SO BAD IN KOREA (MANY OF YOU WONDERED WHY I FELL SO MUCH IN KOREA}.

FIGURE THIS BREAK WOULD AT LEAST GET ME BACK TO JAPAN IF THIS WAS 1951. NOT ASKING FOR SYMPATHY.

BOBBY LICKER WASN'T VERY KIND WHEN HE GOT THE WORD. I WAS TOO HARD ON SHIFTY WHEN HE HAD HIS HERNIA OPERATION AND I KNOW ALL "ABLE SIX" KNOWS TO SAY IS "PAINT'UM WITH IODINE AND MARK'UM FOR DUTY!" SO YOU SEE WHY I DON'T WANT NO MORE DANG SYMPATHY!!

IF YOU WANT THE "POOPSHEET" TO.CONTINUE YOU HAD BETTER GET SOME POOP FLOWING IN, EITHER TO ME OR SHIFTY.

TAKE CARE STABLE ABLE!!!!

SEMPER FI, JIM